Honda Fit Interior and Passenger Comfort Concerns

Comments

One of my wife's clients had a huge box to transport. The client owns a Dodge Durango which was for some reason not available at that time, so my wife, with our Fit, offered to transport the box. My wife's client took one glance at the Fit and said, "Ain't no way the box gets in there." Well, lo and behold, our Fit swallowed the whole thing that needed to be carried. The client exclaimed, "Holy, this thing can carry more than my Durango!" I don't know about that, but it sure surprised the owner of the big Dodge that weighs nearly twice as much as our Fit!

In the same line of events, my wife was going out to lunch with three of her co-workers, two of whom are 6'3" and weigh at least 200 pounds each, and she offered to drive. The big guys took at look at the Fit and allegedly said, "Wait a minute. We can't go into this thing!" Both of them fit in the backseat no problem, however, and not only that, said to my wife, "This thing is rather comfortable back here."

That's the same expression that an owner of a large pick-up gave me when I got to my car in the Home Depot parking lot with a number of 8-foot long 2x4s. Using utility and long mode I was able to fit everything in. Sure, my car was left with only one useable seat, but I was able to still close the hatch.

Regarding the comments last summer about the weird pedal angle and the disconnect between comfortable-distance-from-the-wheel vs. comfortable-distance-from-the-pedals: Now that you've had your Fit for another six months, could you give the rest of us a status report on this issue? Did you just get used to it? Keep the seat further back and arms straighter? Find a clever mechanical solution?

I had the opportunity to test-drive a Fit Sport MT last week and noticed my feet getting seriously uncomfortable after ~15 minutes behind the wheel. After scooting *way* back my feet were happier but I'm not sure I'd want to drive like that long-term; I like the wheel a lot closer. (Not two inches closer as someone else said; more like half a foot!) FWIW I'm 6'0 and 160 pounds. Coming from a 92 Ford Explorer, also a manual shifter.

I've pre-ordered a Fit Sport MT and probably have until April to change my mind. I like everything else about the car and would hate for this to be a deal-breaker... but, it is pretty fundamental!

I'd especially like to hear the experiences of manual-transmission drivers, as the whole pedal thing seems a lot more acute in that case.

I'm two hairs under 6 ft and about 175. I keep the seat all the way back, but I find that if I keep the seat back as far forward as it will go (pretty much straight up and down) then the distance to the wheel is fine. The window sill is at the perfect height for the elbow.

My legs hurt a bit at first too, but I'm used to it now. I think I had some muscles that weren't used to supporting the weight of my leg.

shneor, I'm laughing because we obviously share many of the same criteria in evaluating cars. I'm an amateur astronomer too (12.5" truss-tube dob).

Shouldn't there be a fuse box where you can disable the circuit for the dome light? This worked like a charm on my '92 Explorer at star parties. Only drawback was that it also happened to erase the memory on the radio.

Today I test-drove the same Sport MT again. This time I spent a good 15 min. in the parking lot first, testing various mitigations for the uncomfortable gas pedal. (BTW this vivid blue pearl Fit has been sitting on the lot at Honda Auto Center of Bellevue for over a week now---they might actually be ready to deal if you're interested. I already pre-ordered mine through another dealer.)

Bottom line: I've convinced myself that I can live with the odd ergonomics. Here's what I found:

1) Seat height *does* play a significant role for me. Sitting on a fat cushion I get a better angle on the pedals, and my knees can still fit under the wheel, at least at the highest tilt. Can't push this strategy too far, though, or the rearview mirror becomes a forward blind spot.

2) For me the problem is the accelerator, not the clutch. I need my right heel on the floor to modulate the throttle properly, so the too-vertical pedal in the Fit bends my foot too sharply upward => rapid fatigue. My clutch foot is fine because I'm used to moving the whole foot instead of pivoting at the ankle.

3) If I slide my right foot back until just the tips of my toes are at the lower edge of the accelerator, this is much more comfortable, but it doesn't feel secure---I have to consciously force myself to put my foot there instead of sliding it forward fully onto the pedal where it starts to hurt. I conclude that a longer, aftermarket pedal could solve this issue; it might be possible to improve the angle a bit, too, by shimming the lower attachment point of such a pedal/cover. Seems a reasonable DIY task.

4) Stuff that didn't work for me: Sliding the seat all the way back (gotta have some bend in my elbows, sorry); raising the floor below the pedals with a book (minor improvement, but not as effective as I'd hoped).

I've put about 150 miles on my new Fit, and I'm still trying to find a comfortable driving position. I'm a half inch over 6 feet tall with a 33" inseam.

The main problem is that the steering wheel is too far forward in relation to the pedals. With the seat moved all the way back where my legs can stretch out a little, I can't recline the seat at all without having to extend my arms fully to grasp the steering wheel. I like to have some bend in my elbows and at least a little recline for my back.

I've tried moving the seat forward but this exacerbates the other problem -- lack of thigh support on the seat cushion. Being closer to the pedals increases the vertical angle of my lower legs, which lifts them further off the seat. My legs then tend to splay outwards, with the outside of my lower right leg resting uncomfortably on the center console. The vertical angle is also uncomfortable for my right ankle, which requires the foot to bend unnaturally upward to conform with the angle of the gas pedal.

I'm on the verge of seriously regretting the purchase of this otherwise excellent vehicle. I've never had these problems in any other car and I'm scratching my head as to how Honda could have done so poorly on ergonomics.

I'm going to try using a wedge cushion that will support my thighs closer to the knee. This should keep my legs from splaying outward. If this works, I may integrate the cushion with a seat cover so I don't have to deal with placing the cushion every time I get in and out of the car. I also like the idea of shimming the gas pedal to reduce the angle.

You have to think of the Fit like an SUV because of the upright driving position. In an SUV or minivan, you pretty much sit upright, not leaning back like in an Accord or Civic. I think the reason folks are having a hard time getting comfortable is because they think they're driving a "low" car like a Civic or Accord versus a high car/minivan/suv. That's why the Fit has a high roof.

So pretent the Fit is an SUV/truck/minivan, in which case they're all designed to have you sit like you're in a chair, and you'll find that the steering wheel isn't so far away.

I understand that the seat is more upright than other hatchbacks, but that doesn't stop it being uncomfortable. I've been comfortable in SUV's. This is the only car that I have ever been in or driven where I am almost constantly aware of my slightly aching legs and feet. It seems to be a height thing, If you are under 5.8 or over 5.4 its the perfect car.I wish I had found this forum before I purchased my fit.

It's not a whether I think about this vehicle as a low-slung coupe or upright mini-SUV. The plain fact of the matter is that I am unable to find a comfortable driving position with any combination of the three variables:1) sliding the seat forward or back2) adjusting the seatback from slight recline to fully upright3) adjusting the tilt on the steering wheel

I think 2tallformyfit is probably right. The ergonomics of the front seat are suitable only for short drivers. There's plenty of headroom, but the front of my thighs do not rest on the seat cushion and my right leg rests uncomfortably on the center console. This is especially exacerbated when I move the seat forward to be closer to the steering wheel. I can live with the seatback fully upright, but that still doesn't overcome the faulty geometry. Honda really needed to offer a telescoping steering wheel and an angle adjustment on the seat cushion, or change the geometry altogether.

I haven't given up yet. I'll begin fashioning a wedge cushion today, despite the zero degree weather here in Chicago. Tomorrow I'll be preoccupied with a sporting event.

Obviously for SOME folks the seating position is uncomfortable, but if you look back at the earlier posts, you'll find several 6'+ folks owing Fits and not complaining about the seating position. But like any car, you really have to do a long test drive, and if something doesn't feel right, do another test drive. But to say that the Fit is suitable only for short drivers is incorrect based on the tall drivers posting here that are comfortable.

I wouldn't blanketly state that the front seats are suitable only for short drivers. I'm only 5'4", and could not find a comfortable driving position, either. After 6 months of fighting with it, I gave up, and sold it to get a 2007 CR-V.

The upright seating position may be more like an SUV, but the footwell doesn't have the vertical depth to fully implement the conversion. So, from the waist up, I was driving an SUV, but from the waist down, I was still in a subcompact. It just didn't work for me, and sadly, I had to move on.

if this many folks, of different heights and dimensions, have experienced trouble finding a comfortable (or even just tolerable)fit then the problem lies with the vehicle, and not the driver(s). Honda may have eliminated most, if not all, of the problem if it had offered a telescoping wheel, and more seat adjustments.

It is also my opinion that if you have to go through this much trouble to find a comfortable fit, then it is not the right vehicle for you. I doubt many people would buy a pair of shoes or a jacket if comfort were an issue. Why would you compromise on something as expensive as a car?

I agree that the seats can be a problem....regardless of height evidently. The seats are ok even for trips of 12-14 hours like I have done in the fit....but you never seem to acheive a really comfortable position during the ride...it is ok but not in the 'really comfortable ' range like I have been able to do in other smaller cars such as the echo or civic. The other downside of the front seating is the consistent ' sloshing ' noise made at a certain point of the gas tank fill close to full but not quite. Again another 'little thing' that seems should be better on a 5 y.o. design...............................

So after about 6 months from my original thread I can happily report that the ergonomics of the car are much more comfortable. I think that there are three factors to the improvement:1) My Seat Cushion. I bought a Walmart seat cushion for about $20 that is made of molded silicone in a removable pillow-case type mesh. It's very comfortable and firm without the "sweat factor." I can move it around as needed and it provides the added thigh support I needed.2) Pedal Covers. I bought peadal covers at AutoZone for about $15 and installed them with zipties. Not very elegant, but if you do it right it is more secure than the screws they come with and totally removable if necessary. The covers extend the bottom lip of the pedals down a few inches so I can rest my heel on the floor and not have to drive with just my toes.3) Multiple floor mats. I bought floormats from Walmart and stacket them on eachother to raise the floor about an inch. In comination with the other improvments, the driving position is quite comfortable now. My muscles have also adjusted to the ergonomics, so I'm sure that helps too, but I don't regret purchasing the Fit for a minute now that this problem is resolved. It takes a little work to get it right, but its worth it. I've taken some very long drives without any big problems other than the normal "car fatigue". Of course, this is not to say that I'd prefer the Fit over a minivan or other long-range cruiser car but it certainly isn't the problem it used to be. Hope this helps!

Hi there, just got my fit and I tell ya I am having a heckuva time getting it into refresh mode.

So, whats the trick?

I have been scooting front seat as far forward as I can get it and then tilting the front seat backwards and down to mee the other but the bar that holds the headrest (which I take off to attempt this) seems to be prohibiting the downward movement.

If there is a trick, someone please help because I cannot get it flat/flush!

You need to tilt the rear seat back to it's lower latch position. Lift up on the latch on the rear seat-back near the headrest as if you were putting the rear seats into the floor, but instead of bringing the seat down toward the front of the car, push toward the back. The whole seat will move about 2", and you'll be able to put the front seat all the way down for refresh mode. Hope this helps.-Matt

You need to tilt the rear seat back to it's lower latch position. Lift up on the latch on the rear seat-back near the headrest as if you were putting the rear seats into the floor, but instead of bringing the seat down toward the front of the car, push toward the back. The whole seat will move about 2", and you'll be able to put the front seat all the way down for refresh mode. Hope this helps. -Matt

Thanks to you Matt, I have now successfully put the seats into every possible configuration.

YAY!

It did indeed go flush once I reclined the back seat.

It wasn't clear in the owners manual to me at all, or perhaps I just didn't get the back seat reclined as far as it will go.

I have the same problem, any good position for long drive. When i haved purchase my FIT sport, the drive test was not long.and now it's a problem for me. I want keep my car for a long time but if i cant find a solution for position of the driver seat i dont keep this carThank's

I've been lurking here for the 5 MONTHS (that's right folks, the world's most patient car buyer here!) it took me to finally take delivery today. Considering my last brandy-new vehicle was a 1980 Ford Van I figured what the heck is nearly half a year in the grand scheme of things. Rode my bike up to get it, thankfully the snow here in Jersey finally quit last night, and I can honestly say the picture they have in the brochure is probably one of those bikes I remember as a kid at the circus with a bear on it. My roadie is a 56, basically a medium sized frame, and with the front wheel removed the rear still protruded a good 4" out the door. So utilo-mode it was. Definitely less of a struggle than stuffing it in my Eagle Talon.

After my experience I don't see how it would be possible to not remove the front wheel, which takes all of 5 sec. with a quick-release skewer, which I'm pretty sure ALL real bikes have now. The exception is probably *#?!Mart bikes. But why someone would put their personal safety at risk on one of those is beyond me. To each his own, I guess.

Yes, it is quite easy. They give you an overly detailed instruction manual. The only thing I did not like about mine is that they follow the Honda pattern on the seats, which makes for some tight sewing angles on the neoprene panels. See my pictures I posted ages ago when I bought mine, shortly after they released the FIT covers. coverking seat covers

I have made this modification since 2 week now and i LIKE my position for driving. I take only 2.5 hrs, 15$ for steel and 5$ for bolts, lock and nut. My seat is 2 inch more up and 4 inch more more back. Enough for have a lot of ajustement . I have ask my dealership in first, but nobody want do that, reason security?? My modification is very good without any modification on original track.I happy now!

I picked up my new Sport Automatic last week, and am enjoying it very much. This morning after my commute I opened the driver side door to get out and noticed a white elastic cord, about 6" long, protruding from between the door panels, along the door edge by the hinges. It comes out from between the interior moulding and the door metal, and is about half way between the bottom of the window and the bottom of the door. I tried giving it a little tug, but it didn't budge.

Does anyone have any idea what this might be attached to, and why it popped out all of a sudden? I hope it is a minor thing, and I can just neatly snip it off, but thought I see if anyone has other ideas first.

I first noticed mine a couple months ago, although it protrudes from the bottom of the door through a small gap in the door panel. I know that gap is supposed to be there for condensation, but I have no idea what that elastic is for, or comes from. I've been hesitant about snipping it also, but it probably wouldn't hurt anything to do so... I suppose the only way to really find out would be to remove the door panel, and then secure that loose end with some tape.